Differential Diagnosis for CVS (Cardiovascular System)
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Hypertension: This is often the most common diagnosis in patients presenting with cardiovascular symptoms, given its high prevalence and association with a wide range of symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Presents with symptoms such as chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath, especially with exertion, and is a common cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Heart Failure: Can manifest as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs, and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in older adults.
- Atrial Fibrillation: A common arrhythmia that can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and significantly increases the risk of stroke.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Myocardial Infarction (MI): Although it might seem obvious, MI (heart attack) is a critical diagnosis that must not be missed due to its high mortality rate if not promptly treated.
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Can present with sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, and may be fatal if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
- Aortic Dissection: A life-threatening condition that presents with severe, tearing chest pain and requires immediate medical attention.
- Cardiac Tamponade: A condition where fluid accumulates in the sac around the heart, leading to impaired heart function, which can be fatal if not promptly treated.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A condition where granulomas form in the heart, leading to arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden death, though it is much less common than other cardiovascular diseases.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A genetic disorder that leads to abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, which can cause arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden death, particularly in young athletes.
- Marfan Syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue, leading to potential life-threatening cardiovascular complications such as aortic dissection.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues, with potential for significant cardiovascular complications.